Approve second amendment to Agreement No. 5151 with Brighter Horizon Group Homes, Inc. to extend the term through June 30, 2025; and add funding in the amount of $100,000, for a new contract maximum of $400,000, for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025; and add two (2) one (1) year optional extensions for the provision of Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) services in compliance with the new California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. (No general fund impact) (Sullivan)

Brighter Horizon Group Homes, Inc. operates a Short-Term Residential Treatment Program (STRTP) for youth who require Child Welfare or Probation residential placement and provides Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS). When the need for placement in an STRTP occurs, it often involves youth who have an urgent and immediate need for placement, which is difficult to plan for in advance. This challenge is intensified by the limited availability of STRTPs statewide. To address these challenges, Yolo County contracts with STRTPs in the local and surrounding area as well as any facilities where placement is likely to ensure access to STRTP placements as soon as possible. Brighter Horizon Group Homes, Inc. is one such provider that offers SMHS and meets the needs of youth in Yolo County.

California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Initiative
In January 2022, California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) rolled out the CalAIM initiative to provide broad delivery system program and payment reform across the Medi-Cal system. The goal is transformation of the Medi-Cal delivery system, moving it towards a population health approach that prioritizes prevention and whole person care. Focus shifted from compliance to quality and performance metrics. In addition, Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) requirements and policies pursuant to the CalAIM initiative were updated.

On or about October 5, 2023, the County and Brighter Horizon Group Homes, Inc. entered into Agreement No. 5151 with an initial term of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 with a contract maximum of $100,000.

On or about March1 12, 2024 the Parties amended the Agreement via the first amendment to add additional funding in the amount of $200,000 for fiscal year 2023-24.

This second amendment extends the term of the agreement through June 30, 2025; and adds funding for 2024-25; and adds two (2) one (1) year options and delegates authority to the HHSA director to issue related option year notices.

Performance Measures included in this Agreement are as follows:
The Performance Measures were included in the underlying Agreement and are not being revised at this time. (See Att. B. Performance Measures)

HHSA confirms Brighter Horizon Group Homes, Inc. has performed satisfactorily under this Agreement. Brighter Horizon has provided care to the most vulnerable Child Welfare or Probation clients and have been instrumental in meeting the needs of youth in Yolo County by ensuring access to STRTP placements as soon as possible. Yolo County is the Mental Health Plan associated with Brighter Horizon Group Homes and has a responsibility to ensure that all youth placed in the STRTP can access Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) during their placement.

County Counsel has approved this amendment as to form
General Services Department, Procurement Division

On or about March 15, 2024, the Yolo County Deputy Director/Manager of Procurement approved a sole source letter in conformance with the updated Yolo County Procurement Policy with Brighter Horizon Group Homes, Inc. to provide Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) services.

Procurement reviewed HHSA’s request and determined that it was in the best interest of the County to approve the sole source. Without sole source approval, the County would lose the ability to place Child Welfare or Probation youth into an STRTP as soon as possible. Factors considered included, but were not limited to:

1) The County continues to experience urgent and immediate placement needs for youth into an STRTP that provides specialty mental health services; 2) Vendor is a STRTP in the local and surrounding area that typically has availability for placement; 3) Rates are fair compared to other STRTP facilities in the surrounding areas; and 4) the County would lose the ability to place youth into a local STRTP that is able to meet specific mental health needs. The County would be limited in its ability to identify and place youth in an STRTP offering appropriate specialty mental health services that meet the needs of youth.